Today was going to be a special day for me.
After all, it was the first time I would be visiting a city since I became an Alraune!
Following our prior consultations, Lord Manfred and I had reached an agreement: I would grow an Avatar Alraune at the Goddess's Tower Ruins. Accompanying me on this trip were Little Witch and Fairy Kiri. Since my younger sister figure, the Amazoness Treant, had been tasked with protecting my main body back in the forest, she had to stay behind and watch the house alone.
Under Kiri’s guidance, I began extending my roots toward the Goddess's Tower Ruins in Tower City.
While I made my preparations to teleport, Lord Manfred was busy spreading the word to the citizens that he would be cooperating with an Alraune to rebuild the tower. According to Little Witch, who had gone to scout the city's atmosphere, the reactions were mixed. "Some people are welcoming the Alraune," she reported, "but just as many are protesting. The rest just kept quiet."
In Tower City, the population seemed to be split into four groups: the Moderate Faction, who held friendly feelings toward me; the Radical Faction, who believed all monsters were absolute evil; the Neutral Faction, who accepted my presence but only intended to observe from a distance; and finally, the Fanatic Faction, who sought to worship me.
Apparently, the Fanatic and Radical factions were already at each other's throats. According to information from the adventurer Corporal-san, some of the radicals were even plotting to launch a night attack on me. However, Lord Manfred’s assessment was that most of them would stay quiet. After all, regardless of me being a monster, I was a guest of honor recognized by the Lord, and they couldn't exactly commit murder inside the city walls. He believed that unless someone was a true extremist—like the former Knight Commander—they wouldn't dare attack. If anything, he warned that the real danger came from travelers who didn't know the history between the city and me.
That was the gist of the situation with the radicals. As for the fanatics, they were apparently causing quite a headache for the rest of the city.
Supposedly, they were obsessively handing out Saint Nectar to random passersby to spread its glory. Supposedly, they were plotting to rename the Goddess's Tower the "Alraune's Tower." Supposedly, despite being members of the Church, they were worshipping me more than the Goddess herself. There were even claims that an Alraune capable of producing holy nectar must be the current incarnation of the Goddess in this world.
Most bizarrely, a group of male volunteers from the Fanatic Faction—convinced that an Alraune would surely be pleased if they offered their bodies as tribute to a "man-eating monster"—had tried to enter the forest. They were promptly driven back to the city by the forest's Watering Officer, Drink Bar-san...
Then there were those who insisted I wasn't an Alraune at all, but a Dryades. I didn't even need to check to know that was the work of the Master Carpenter. I could state that with absolute certainty!
In any case, the fanatics were just as much of a concern to me as the radicals. I couldn't even imagine what they might pull. If I had my way, I’d have the radicals and fanatics stay home so I could just be surrounded by the moderates. I really just wanted to try talking to the townspeople.
While I was lost in thought, Little Witch flew over to my main body in the form of a White Bird.
"A message from Kiri," she chirped. "The roots have reached the exact spot where the tower used to be."
"Understood... Then... I will... grow... the avatar... there."
My roots had finally arrived at the ruins. With this, my preparations were complete.
I was finally going to a human city. The last time I had stepped foot in a human settlement was during my Saint Era, many years ago. I was filled with anxiety, but at the same time, I was incredibly excited. To me, it felt like two years, but in reality, it had been five years since I was last among humans.
I felt so nervous. I was a plant monster now, a creature that might be incomprehensible to human eyes, but I truly hoped they would accept me. I knew that if I just stayed curled up in fear, nothing would ever change.
To become a truly friendly flower, I had to give it my all!
"Well... I’m... off."
After saying goodbye to the Amazoness Treant, I sprouted my Avatar Alraune inside the city. Then, I activated Teleportation!
The first thing I heard was the collective "Ohhh!" of a cheering crowd. I opened my bud to peek at my surroundings, only to find a sea of tall human adults looking down at me. Because I was currently in the form of the Young Girl Alraune, the height difference made the sense of pressure overwhelming.
It was the first time I had been subjected to the gazes of so many people since the subjugation squad had come to kill me. Back then, I was showered with nothing but bloodlust and verbal abuse. Remembering that experience sent a chill through me; I never wanted to feel that way again.
"Is that the Alraune?" "Her lower body really is a plant." "She won't attack, will she?" "I heard she was a beauty, but she’s just a child." "She’s actually kind of cute." "I'm starting to get a little worked up..." "Knock it off, or she'll turn you into fertilizer." "I can smell the Saint Nectar." "Man, I really want some now." "Wanna go buy some on the way home?"
Unaware of my internal panic, the citizens observed me with intense curiosity. No one was hurling insults or trying to attack. If anything, they seemed fascinated.
As my fear began to subside, I was finally able to scan the area. There were over a hundred residents gathered to see me, though most kept a respectful distance. In the very front row, I spotted the Fanatic Faction: the Master Carpenter and his team, along with the Sister I had met on the snowy plains. Behind them were adventurers who knew me well, like Corporal-san and Drink Bar-san.
Surrounding them were the people who likely made up the Moderate Faction, while the Neutral Faction watched from further back. The fact that I couldn't see any sign of the Radical Faction was a bit eerie, though.
Wait...
That girl watching from the very back of the crowd. She looked a little like the Demon Maid-san... No, it must be my imagination. There was no way a member of the Demon Race would be here. She was likely back at the Demon King's Castle by now.
"Welcome to our city, Crimson Flower Princess!"
Lord Manfred appeared, flanked by his knights. He stepped forward boldly and offered his right hand in greeting.
"I am delighted that you took the trouble to walk all the way here... though I suppose for a plant, 'extending your roots' is more accurate. Regardless, welcome, Crimson Flower Princess."
As we had practiced, I used a vine to grasp the Lord's right hand. It was a demonstration intended to show the public that I was a friendly, intelligent monster.
"How... do... you... do? I... thank you... for... the welcome."
When I spoke, a roar of cheers erupted from the onlookers. I suppose a talking Alraune was a rare sight for them.
"Everyone, listen well!" Manfred shouted to the crowd. "The Crimson Flower Princess Alraune is our friend and our benefactor!"
He launched into a speech, explaining that while I was a monster, I was also a hero who had saved the city from the Demon King's Army. He then spoke of our partnership to rebuild the Goddess's Tower. It was true that I had helped, but I didn't really feel like a hero. After all, I wasn't even human anymore.
Once the speech ended, the Master Carpenter and his crew rushed over.
"Lady Dryades, the Lord told us you're building a wooden tower! Please, you must let us help!"
"I... thank you... But... I am... not... a Dryades... you know."
As usual, he refused to believe I was an Alraune. Still, having professional builders offer their cooperation was more than I could have asked for. With their help, we could surely build a Goddess's Tower that was even more magnificent than the original.
"Crimson Flower Princess, it has been far too long! While you are in the city, I shall take care of your every need~!"
The Sister from the snowy plains appeared before me, her hands clasped as if in prayer. I knew she’d show up eventually. To me, she was the very face of the Fanatic Faction.
"I hate to ask so suddenly, but I have a request for the holy Crimson Flower Princess. Please... grant me your Saint Nectar!"
The moment she said those words, the residents in the front row surged forward. They dropped to their knees, cupping their hands like bowls in anticipation. Was every single person in the front row a fanatic? I hadn't expected to be begged for nectar the second I arrived.
"Hmph! Saint Nectar, you say? I can hardly stand by and miss out on that!"
To my surprise, even Lord Manfred moved into position alongside the Sister. Apparently, he wanted some too.
But what was I supposed to do? If I refused the Lord’s request, it would surely sour the city's opinion of me. That left me with only one choice. It was embarrassing, but I would have to give them what they wanted.
I bit down on my own vine. Once I had produced a generous amount of nectar, I let it drip down for Manfred and the others. Their eyes sparkled as they began to consume it. Seeing this, the residents who had been hanging back began to shout, "I heard she’s giving out Saint Nectar!" and swarmed toward me.
Before I knew it, I was caught in the middle of a public nectar distribution.
W-What is happening?! Why do these people want my nectar so badly?!
I knew I had been selling it through Little Witch and the merchants, but I had no idea it was this popular. I knew Little Witch loved it, Fairy Kiri drank it every day, and even Nina wanted it so much I suspected her of being a Perorist. But I thought those were just isolated cases. I didn't think there were this many people lurking with eyes like hungry bears in the woods.
That illusion was now thoroughly shattered. Since I had never visited before, I hadn't realized how well-received the nectar was. People everywhere were talking eloquently about its sweetness and flavor. It felt as though every person in the plaza had tasted it at least once.
Still, if this was the reaction, I think things will be okay. If they can accept a plant monster like me, they’ll surely accept my other companions too.
I decided to move on to the next phase of the plan. It was time to call forth my new companion who would help build the tower.
I would summon the Wood Golem to this spot!
In this city, it was actually harder to find someone who had never drunk my Saint Nectar than someone who had.
Next time: The Goddess's Tower Reconstruction Project by the Goddess's Golem.